In Yesterdays Running post I mentioned, that I was going for a run today... and that didn't happen. I wasn't really feeling it. I went for a walk up to the shops with a friend first thing (she had a parcel to post, I had food to buy). When I returned home at 10am I had aimed to go straight back out...
...and I didn't.
Like I already said... I wasn't feeling it. I sat on the couch, and checked Hive (and a bit of strava and FB), and before I knew it, it was 1pm. A spot of lunch and a shower and then I went to spend the rest of the afternoon with my parents. Just like that the day has gone.
Feels like the day was wasted...
So frustrating.
I talk about being consistent, and training regularly. But the truth of the matter is all it takes a couple of missed sessions, a couple of easy excuses, and all that consistent effort can unravel so quickly.
I log all my runs on Strava, as it is a useful way to keep track of my training. My training is intermittent at best, with brief periods of consistency. The current period of training is actually my most continuous bit of training I have managed in the last 10 years:
You can see in the graph, I started back in June 2022 and steadily increased the mileage up to approx 50km per week as of January 2023. I'm really enjoying the process, and I'm starting to see an improvement in health, aerobic fitness and general well being. Regular exercise is just one of the ways to improve our mental health.
I really need to keep this going
By the way, i'm not talking about not taking a rest day. sometimes we can overdo it, or get tired or life gets in the way, so we have to skip a session. Thee is nothing wrong with having a valid reason for a day off
One way of motivating myself to train regularly is to find a goal to aim for. In this case it's gonna be a running event (i don't refer to these as races, as I'm a long way from winning any of these!). I have already signed up to do a Half Marathon in Lincoln.
But, that's in September... its ages away. Plus it is a distance I have completed regularly so its not as if I have to train particularly hard for. A goal needs to be reasonably challenging to be worth tying to complete. I will be aiming to do it in a quick(er) time than before, but that in itself is not going to sustain me for the next 6 months
I need something sooner... something a bit more interesting... and as luck would have it, I found it - The Great British Seaside Marathon (event page)
Its a new event taking place along the Lincolnshire coast, from Skegness up to Mablethorpe and back down again. Technically it is 27.3 miles as opposed to the standard 26.2 miles due to how its been set up. There is also an Ultra Marathon taking place at the same time over 35 miles but I'll give that a miss this time around... 27 miles in the bracing sea air will be challenge enough!
It is slightly sooner than I would like, at just over 5 weeks away... but all the more reason to get my lazy butt in gear and crack on!
The first step I guess is to check the required kit list
Hat and gloves - check (it is early Spring in the UK, it will be pretty chilly!)
Jacket - ditto!
Minimum of 500 ml water to be carried - check,1 litre Camelbak
Headtorch/Torch - check (although as we are starting at 8AM, I expect to finish before nightfall!)
Whistle - er nope - I guess as it is a small event, there will be a few marshalls spread over the whole course, it will be useful to have a way of calling for assistance if required
Emergency food supply - will almost certainly be Jelly Babies
Phone stuff and maps etc - to sort out nearer the time of the event.
ok... Whistle ordered
I guess the next step is to plan my training. As it is only a few weeks away I need to make sure I can squeeze in a small taper in the last 2 weeks so I am physically rested for the main event.
I want to get to the start line as well prepared and ready as I can
On that note, I'd better go and start planning, so watch this space!
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